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Llandegla Forest

Last updated: 14 May 2008

Visit Coed Llandegla Forest in Denbighshire this spring for a rare opportunity to witness one of Wales' most weird wildlife spectacles up close.

Black grouse perform their mesmerising love dance called a lek each spring in the hope of securing a mate for the breeding season. You can see them strutting their stuff from a purpose built hide at the lek site, each year from March through till May but they dance early - around 5.30am, so set your alarm clocks!

Llandegla Forest is a forest of planted conifers covering 6.5 square kilometres in Denbighshire.

In the middle of the forest lies Pendinas Reservoir. It was constructed in the late 19th century to provide water for the local area and is now fished.

The forest and nearby moorland are important habitats for the black grouse which is declining in many parts of England and Wales. The number of birds is increasing in the forest because of successful land management.

A purpose-built hide has been constructed overlooking the birds' lek - the males' mating display area - to allow visitors to watch them.

Telescopes and binoculars are on hand to help visitors get the best view of the birds, while a microphone bring the bubbling and screeching calls of the lek even closer.


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